Pound for Pound: Who's Really the No.1 Ultimate Fighter?

What if?  It's an age old question. 

What if Kevin Dyson didn't get tackled by the Rams in the Super Bowl? 

What if Babe Ruth struck out after calling his shot? 

What if that my mom and dad didn't hook up in the back of the van at that Journey concert?  Creepy? Yes.

Anyway, one can always ask what if.  Here is a what if to ponder.  What if the UFC decided to have brawl for it all tournament with no weight classes? A luck of the draw tournament to decide who the Ultimate Fighter really is.

This is how it was back in the day, 1993 to be exact, when Royce Gracie won the very first tournament.  But just imagine it today, sixteen or twenty of your top fighters. Throw them against each other, no judges decisions, and 25 minutes to get it done (equivalent to five, five minute rounds).  

If a fighter could not get it done in the 25 minutes than there would be another five minute round.  All of the current rules would be enforced, minus judges decisions.   

Here's how the tournament would work. Take your 16 top fighters from the various weight classes, consisting of all of your division champions plus 4 wild card entries for guys who would be outside of the top rankings but still in the UFC.

In today's UFC, clearly a tournament situation like this would not work because a guy like Kenny Florian or BJ would get crushed by a guy like Carwin or Lesnar or sat on by Roy Nelson. But in theory, a smaller fighter with really good technical skills and excellent cardiovascular conditioning, could outlast, and possibly defeat a stronger, bigger opponent. 

What follows is a list of the fighters whom I think would make for an interesting tournament.

1. Brock Lesnar: I realize he's laid up right now but he is still a champion. Besides, someone has to play Darth Vader.

2. Anderson Silva: Listed as the P4P king by many people, it's time for him to prove it.  Probably the odds on favorite to win it all.

3. Georges St. Pierre: It would be interesting to see No. 2 versus No.3. A complete MMA fighter with good striking skills, good ground skills, and he can submit anyone. 

4. Lyoto Machida: He could possible pull the Royce Gracie and take it all.  Dangerous and elusive. Plus, we recently discovered he has striking power.

5. Rashad Evans: A good wrestler with decent striking skills.

6. Shane Carwin: Always dangerous in the early going. An excellent striker with hands of granite

7. Mauricio Rua: Another good all around Brazilian fighter. Skilled in BJJ and a good striker. 

8. Cain Velasquez: A good striker, perhaps a dark horse winner.

9. BJ Penn: The smallest guy in the tournament. He has world class BJJ skills and excellent endurance

10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: Nog has made a living in brutal wars and would feel right at home in a situation like this.

11. Frank Mir: One of the best in submissions. He also has decent striking skills.

12. Randy Couture: He maybe 46, but you can never rule him out of a fight.

13. Rich Franklin: Former champ has good striking and submission skills.

14. Dan Henderson*:A very good wrestler and an excellent striker.

15. Vanderlei Silva: Another dangerous striker.  He's also just terrifying.

16. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson*: BA Barracus himself. A dangerous fighter all around.

Wild Card Entries

1. Kimbo Slice: Not all that much experience, but this type of setting would be a benefit to him. He's a very dangerous striker.

2. Michael Bisping: A good kick boxer with some striking mixed in. Has good endurance as well.

3. Josh Koshchek: A good wrestler and striker.

4. Tito Ortiz: Puts butts in the seats.  A ground and pound specialist. 

Here's a list of only twenty UFC fighters.  It's exciting to just imagine the possibilities. Who would be on your list, and who would you pick to win?

 *No longer under UFC contract